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Oilers and EPCOR welcome Jeremy Wotherspoon to Rexall Place tomorrow

by
Edmonton Oilers Press Release
/ Edmonton Oilers

(Edmonton, AB) - The Edmonton Oilers and EPCOR welcome Canadian Olympic Medalist Jeremy Wotherspoon to Rexall Place on February 24th, 2009 as part of the EPCOR Parade of Champions. The Edmonton Oilers look forward to Wotherspoon participating in the pre-game ceremony and signing autographs in the main north concourse during the second intermission as they take on the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Jeremy Wotherspoon is one of the most celebrated speed skaters of all time. He became a household name when he won a silver medal at the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano. Five years later he earned the title of most successful male speed skater in the world with 49 career victories.

“We support amateur sports organizations from coast-to-coast who are working with youth to reach their full potential in a chosen sport,” said Guy Bridgman, EPCOR Senior Vice President, Distribution and Transmission and Energy Services. “We are also proud to support Canadian Olympians, like Jeremy who set a standard for those athletes to follow. He has proven that he is one of the best in the world and is a perfect example of how perseverance, dedication and hard work lead to success.”

As a young boy growing up in Red Deer, Wotherspoon played hockey and wanted to improve his skating. He signed up for a power skating class and quickly realized his aptitude for speed skating. After learning about the new sport, he switched over and concentrated his training on speed skating. At the age of 17, Wotherspoon moved to Calgary to train with the Canadian National Team.

Initially Wotherspoon competed in both long and short track, but eventually chose to specialize in long track. He quickly began dominating in the sprint events and winning medals. He has held world record times in both the 500m and 1000m races and is a 12 time World Cup Overall Champion. In November 2007, he set the current world record in the 500m with a time of 34:03 seconds. Speed Skating Canada recognized Jeremy as the Male Skater of the Year from 1998-2005 and again in 2008. Wotherspoon is training and preparing with medal dreams for Vancouver 2010.

The Edmonton Oilers and EPCOR salute Canadian Olympic Medalist Jeremy Wotherspoon for chasing his dreams, electrifying the international speed skating stage and giving Canadians a source of national pride. To purchase tickets for this game, visit edmontonoilers.com or call 780 414 GOAL.